Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1836-1922 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities external link and the Library of Congress. Learn more

Download & Play

Questions

Newspaper Page Text

Moore was convinced that he had
it and had -it bad. For several
months, whenever any unaccustomed
pressure came upon a certain part of
his back a sharp stinging pain re
sulted. Oh, it was there! He was
going to die! He felt it, he knew it,
and he told his daughter Ruth so.
He was so distressed and positive
that she became alarmed.
"I don't see why you don't send for
a doctor," she said.
"Who shall I send for?" snapped
the irritated invalid. "There's only
Doctor Parton and none of him,
not if I die for it! No, sir-ree!" You
know how he insulted me when 1 had
that slight attack of rheumatism.
When I wondered what could cause
it in a man like me, who don't know
the taste of drink, who never used
tobacco. What did he. say? In
herited! Who from? Past genera
tions! He had the audacity to say
that it was probably a, trace of gout
inherited from someold roystering
swash buckler or pirate among my
ancestors. He said this to me me,
John Moore, whose forefathers
brought Plymo.uth Rock over to this
country!"
Ruth made no reply to all this.
The speech renewed a sunny memory
in her mind. She and Dr. Parton had
become quite good friends during the
time he had attended her father.
When the latter had dismissed him
in anger they did not see very much
of each other. However, they had
met incidentally several "times. The
young physician seemed inclined to
renew the acquaintanceship and
Ruth was glad to realize it.
Two days later Mr. Moore changed
his" mind. He would see Dr. Parton.
It was a reluctant direction he gave
for his presence and when the young
physician arrived he received a de
cidedly chill and" sulky greeting.
."I have sent for you not to ex
amine me or tend on me," said the
old man bluntly. "I have got a fatal
disease. I know what it is and what
will cure it. I sent for you because,
you being a doctor, probably know
where to get a rare remedy I need."
"What is the remedy?" inquired
Doctor Parton. Now he had seen i
Ruth only the evening previous. He
had told her that he considered that
her 'father was more scared than ill.
Ruth had told of the "symptoms" her,
father had described and the doctor.,
had smiled "to himself.
"It's radium," replied Moore. "I
understand it is rare and expensive. , ,
"Very." f,
"Can you get me enough for a
treatment.'.'
"I, can try."
"Very well, if itrcosts -up to five
thousand dollars I must have it," in
sisted "the invalid." .
Arid then the doctor was so indul
gent that Moore agreed, to allow him
to examine the dreadful "prickly"
spot. Sure enough, when the doctor
pressed it Moore uttered a frightful
howl of pain. The doctor, too,
caught a sharp stab in the finger.
He smiled queerly.
"I will be here with the remedy to
morrow, Mr. Mqore," he' said:
When the young physician appear
ed as promised, with an impressive
air, he placed a little phial done up in
elaborate coverings of cotton, silk
and metal. Of course this was the
radium, Moore decided.
"Now, sir," said Doctor Parton, "I
shall have to give, you a light anaes
thetic. Then I will apply the rem
edy." To this Moore agreed. Once he
was under the influence of the drug,
the doctor took out a tiny pair of
surgical pincers. He pressed the
Jjaws of the instrument to the center
of the ailing spot and drew out a.
needle.
In some way the little tormentor
had got under the flesh and this was
the cause of the "fatal symptoms."
Really and truly Doctor -Parton
rubbed the contents of the phial over
the spot, so he could say later that he
had applied "the remedy."